Planning & Environment | UK

CMS houses a noted planning team that operates across the North of England, advising clients from both the public and private sectors. It is particularly adept at energy and infrastructure matters, with strong experience in wind, battery storage, gas, electricity and solar developments. Its expertise also includes real estate work, including managing and delivering large-scale mixed-use development schemes. The department is known for advising on large renewable energy and related schemes across the UK, including major wind and solar farms.

Walker Morris has a strong presence in Yorkshire and offers a full range of planning services. It frequently advises house builders on residential and mixed-use development and strategic land issues. It offers extensive expertise in contentious planning matters, including public inquiries, and also regularly handles compulsory purchase orders.

DLA Piper houses a leading environment team with both a national and international reach. It covers a range of contentious and non-contentious issues for clients in the private and public sectors, and is often involved in high-profile transactions. The team also frequently advise clients on environmental policy and compliance with new regulation.

Freeths maintains a proficient practice with a strong reputation for its work in environmental regulation, particularly for advice to developers and local councils regarding protected species. The team has further strengths advising on permitting requirements, environmental liability and water contamination. It is also known for its experience defending environmental prosecutions brought by regulatory agencies.

Pinsent Masons offers a planning team with a national reach and notable strength in infrastructure, housing development and energy matters. It has additional experience in major urban extensions. It regularly advises public and private sector clients on contentious and non-contentious issues, often acting on high-profile and complex schemes. Pinsent Masons also advises both local authorities and promoters on compulsory purchase matters.

Clarion is able to represent clients across numerous sectors, including waste, energy, infrastructure and residential housing developments. It has experience of town regeneration schemes, planning applications and appeals, and infrastructure agreements.

Eversheds Sutherland offers a full-service planning practice with a national reach and strong client list. The team has specialist expertise in a variety of areas, including infrastructure planning, renewables and minerals matters. It is also experienced in handling matters relating to brownfield development and town centre regeneration, as well as issues affecting the retail sector.

Squire Patton Boggs’ planning law team advises clients from both the public and private sectors, including energy and utility companies, local authority, food and other retailers, commercial, residential and leisure developers.